Knitting for Dogs: Irresistible Patterns for Your Favorite Pup -- and You!
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About this ebook
In Knitting for Dogs, you'll find more than twenty easy-to-follow designs here for every kind of dog, from sequined sweaters for your toy dog princess to a handsome sport coat with racing stripes for your L or XL big boy. But why stop there when you can knit a hat with Fair Isle trim or fingerless Aran gloves to match your pet's jaunty sweater? And because accessories make the dog, there are patterns for everything from a cat-shaped squeaky toy to a walk-in-the-park shoulder bag for carrying keys, doggie treats, and the all-important plastic bags.
With foolproof instructions on how to properly measure a dog so that the project comes out just right, Knitting for Dogs will provide hours of entertainment for you and turn even the average pooch into the envy of the dog-run set. So whether you're a beginner or expert knitter, on the cutting edge of fashion or all about what's practical, you'll find something here to please both you and your canine companion.
Kristi Porter
Always a reader, Kristi Porter never thought much about writing until she entered a contest sponsored by the Detroit Free Press. Her nightmare vacation story - The Worst Vacation Ever - went on to be published in an anthology that was distributed worldwide. This was followed by numerous articles published in local magazines and newspapers. As her love of writing grew, she added adult fiction and short humor pieces to her repertoire.But writing isn't all Kristi does. A preschool teacher, she won the Governor's Award for her work with young children and is dedicated to the education of young children everywhere. She also enjoys bicycling, video games, photography, Facebook, and spending time with family. She lives in Michigan.Titles by Kristi Porter include:Sweet RevengeMartini's and Weed WhackersSooner or Later... You Will Get CaughtIs Somebody Bleeding? A Story About RulesStranger Danger - How to Talk to Kids About StrangersPedaling My A s s Off - A Weight Loss Story - Well, KindaPriceless Proverbs - Funny Happens When Kids Finish Famous SayingsPriceless Proverbs Book 2 - Funny Happens When Kids Finish Famous SayingsHow to Tell When You're Really Old! Funny Happens When Kids Define Old AgeBabies Come From... Where?!? Funny Happens When Kids Explain Pregnancy & Birth
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Knitting for Dogs - Kristi Porter
Introduction
Dogs are far more than pets: they’ve become part of the family, and it’s not considered strange to admit it. We sleep in the same room with them (and sometimes in the same bed), take them on vacation with us, and share kisses, food, and toys. We entrust our households and children to their sharp, protective barks and keen territorial instincts.
In return for a place to sleep, a pat on the head, some water and a bowl of chow, we get pure, unconditional love, and lots of it. This collection of fabulous sweaters and irresistible accessories is the perfect opportunity to knit up your gratitude.
Five savvy young designers offer patterns that are for functional, comfortable items—and, let’s face it, look really cute. The book opens with great Everyday Sweaters to keep Fido warm and dry, then it’s onto Haute Coats, special-occasion coats and ruffles sure to please even the pickiest pups. You and your dog will look smashing in any of the Matchy Matchy sets you choose to knit. And since Accessories Make the Dog, the book closes with a fresh collection of stylish beds, bags, collars, and, of course, toys.
Don’t think that sporting dog sweaters is a Small Dogs Only club. These sweaters are designed for dogs of all sizes, from teacup to jumbo. Just take a look at the photographs and you’ll see a rollicking assortment of breeds enjoying their knitwear—from big, clumsy retrievers to toy-sized poodles. Tips on measuring your dog and choosing a sweater size will help ensure a good fit, and if sweaters aren’t your dog’s thing, the accessories ensure he won’t be left out in the cold.
Our patterns offer something for knitters of all skill levels. We define a lot of terms and techniques on page 12
and also in the patterns themselves. However, if you come across an unfamiliar technique, any good how-to
book will steer you right. See the Resources list at the back of the book for suggested reading.
DOES YOUR DOG NEED A SWEATER?
Dogs from cold climates who spend their days and nights outdoors are naturally insulated against the insults of weather. Their coats are thick and their bodies have enough fat to keep them warm. But what about short-haired housedogs, bred for warmer weather and accustomed to cushier lives? Sometimes it’s an easy call: your mini pinscher probably needs a sweater to keep her from shivering her way through Chicago winters; the neighbor’s Siberian husky probably can do without.
These days, most pet dogs (even huskies) do not live outdoors around the clock. They spend much of their time in well-heated homes, so their bodies, naturally enough, acclimate to these cozy indoor environments. When these pets are taken out for cold-weather walks and exercise, the shift to outside temperatures can be a shock to their systems. The solution? Knit up a bulky wool sweater, like the Irish Fisherdog sweater on page 58
(plus some nice matching gloves for yourself). Or arm your pup against the cold with a fleece-lined Houndstooth Hunting Jacket, page 24
.
If your beloved dog is getting a little gray around the muzzle, you know that dogs can be senior citizens, too. Older dogs’ bodies are sensitive to the cold, so do something nice for yours and knit him a soft, warm sweater or jacket. Legwarmers (see page 89
) might be just the thing for an older dog suffering from stiff joints and arthritis.
Let’s not forget those dogs that love wearing clothes. Aside from the warmth of an additional layer or two, they revel in the attention they receive for their snappy knitwear and may really strut their stuff. If you own one of these show-dog wannabes (or a real show dog!), consider knitting her a whole wardrobe of dog clothes, from everyday sweaters to sparkles and faux fur. (The Haute Coats chapter offers projects that’d be perfect for her.) You care about what you wear. Why shouldn’t your best pal be as warm and stylishly dressed as you are?
WHICH YARN SHOULD YOU USE?
The patterns call for yarns that will yield great results—and look smashing, too. If you want to try a different yarn though, feel free to substitute. For all projects where it matters, gauge is given in stitches and rows per four inches. In your search for alternatives, look for yarns with a similar gauge. Of course, even yarns of the same gauge can vary widely—a silk yarn will look and behave differently from a mohair one. A yarn with a texture similar to the one suggested will yield the best results, but if you have the time to experiment, go ahead! Unless you own a jumbo-sized dog, these sweaters are relatively small, so experiment away. But don’t forget, when you’ve substituted yarns, it’s especially important to make a gauge swatch.
HE JUST WON’T WEAR IT (or Sweater-Haters’ Anonymous)
Sure, you’ll encounter dogs who are not comfortable in sweaters; like the love of a particular chew toy, it’s a matter of personal preference. If your dog has never worn a sweater, here’s a way to tell if he will tolerate a sweater without going to the trouble of knitting one: Put him in a child-sized T-shirt with the sleeves cut off and see how he reacts. Don’t try this when it’s 95° and make sure that the shirt is not too big or too small. If the dog ignores it or starts strutting around, you’ve got an ideal candidate for a dog sweater. If the dog panics, tries to bite or scratch it off, refuses to move, or exhibits other visibly unhappy behavior, take it off immediately.
But don’t give up yet! Try again a few days later, leaving the T-shirt on for 15-minute intervals to see if he warms to the idea. If he does, you can feel confident he will appreciate a sweater, so cast on without fear. If not, do not insist he wear one. You and the animal will both get stressed out, and it’s not worth it. Instead, turn to Accessories Make the Dog, and try one of the hand-knit collar patterns. Even a dog who won’t wear a sweater will enjoy a fun new toy or a cozy dog bed knit with love by their favorite human!
Many of the patterns in this book are knit in natural fibers. They insulate well and breathe better than synthetics, so your doggy will feel cozy but not claustrophobic. Furthermore, wool stays warm even when wet; a synthetic yarn will not. If you can’t stand the idea of hand washing, an acrylic blend or superwash wool may be the way to go because they can be machine washed with no ill effects. Most likely, you want to knit a functional sweater for your dog, not a museum piece, so choose yarns that match the amount of care you care to give.